Galway - Ireland 2014 - page 444

Outer Galway
▲ Salthill
This small resort town packs pubs, discos, a splashy water park, amusement centers, and
a fairground up against a fine, mile-long beach promenade (Ireland's longest). Watch for
local power walkers “kicking the wall” when they reach the western end of the promenade
to emphasize that they've gone the entire distance.
At the Atlantaquaria Aquarium, which features native Irish aquatic life and some
Amazonian species, kids can help feed the fish at 13:00 (fresh water), 15:00 (big fish), and
16:00 (small fish). They can cuddle the crustaceans anytime (€11, Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00,
Sat-Sun 10:00-18:00, touch tanks, The Promenade, tel. [phone],
www.nationalaquarium.ie ) .
For beach time, a relaxing sunset stroll, late-night traditional music, or later-night disco
action, Salthill hops. For accommodations in Salthill, see here .
Getting There: To get to Salthill, catch bus #1 from Eyre Square in front of the AIB
bank, next to Meyrick Hotel (€1.65, runs 7:00-23:00).
Trad on the Prom
This fine traditional-music and dance troupe was started by Galway-born performers who
returned home after years of touring with Riverdance and The Chieftains . It's a great way
to enjoy live step dancing and accomplished musicians in a fairly intimate venue.
Cost and Hours: €30, mid-May-Sept only, shows at 21:00 Tue, Thu, and Sun—call
to confirm; in Galway Bay Hotel, 30-minute walk west of town along the Salthill prom-
enade or short ride on bus #1 from Eyre Square; tel. [phone], mobile [phone],
www.tradontheprom.com .
Dog Racing
Join the locals and cheer on the greyhounds. The stadium is a 10-minute walk from Eyre
Square and barking distance from my recommended B&Bs.
Cost and Hours: €10, Thu-Sat evenings from 20:00 to 22:30, tel. [phone],
www.igb.ie .
Nightlife in Galway
▲ Traditional Irish Music
Galway, like Dingle and Doolin, is a mecca for good Irish music (nightly 21:30-23:30).
But unlike Dingle and Doolin, this is a university town (enrollment: 12,000), and many